MATRIX OF THE PLAN

Guide Questions	Guide Activities	Guide Reference
1.What are the human activities in your community?	*conduct an interview to faculty,staff and workers	*internet *books
2.How does human activities that affect soil quality in terms of: a. structure b.texture c.NPK content d.PH level	*conduct an experiment	*internet *books
3.What are the ways to improve soil quality?	*conduct an interview to faculty,staff and workers	*internet *books

DETAILS IN ALL SITES

Texture	Structure	Nitrogen	Phosphorous	Potassium	PH
1.loamy  sand	Blocky	Low	High	Cloudy	6.8
2.loamy  sand	Blocky	Low	High	Cloudy	5.8
3.loamy  sand	Blocky	Low	High	Cloudy	6.8

                                                                                                                                Site: Construction

Texture	Structure	Nitrogen	Phosphorous	Potassium	PH
1.---------------	Granular	Low	Medium	deficient	5.0
2.---------------	Granular	Low	Medium	deficient	6.4
3.---------------	Granular	Low	High	deficient	6.8

                                                                                                                                Site: Corn Plantation

Texture	Structure	Nitrogen	Phosphorous	Potassium	PH
1.Silt Loam	Granular	Low	High	deficient	7.2
2. Clay loam	Granular	Low	High	deficient	7.2
3.Loamy sand	Granular	Low	High	deficient	7.2

                                                                                                                                Site:  Burning

Texture	Structure	Nitrogen	Phosphorous	Potassium	PH
1. loamy sand	Granular	Low	Low	deficient	6
2. loamy sand	Blocky	Medium	Low	deficient	5.8
3.loamy sand	Blocky	high	low	deficient	6.8

SOLUTION VIDEO

Click this link to redirect to the solution video

RESEARCH PLAN

Land degradation is a concept on which bio-physical features are  affected by human induced processes. There are many causes of land degradation. What are they? They are overgrazing, deforestation, excessive use of inorganic fertilizers, industrialization, dumping garbage and burning activities. How do they affect soil quality? And how do we improve soil quality?

In this investigation, you will need: sieve with 2mm holes, shovel, trowel, hammer, paper plates, marker,acid bottle, spray bottle, magnifying glass tape measure, vinegar, latex gloves, rubber gloves, teaspoon, and resealable bags.

Collect soil samples from each horizon, about 1 kl, include rocks and roots that are found(if any). Place the soil samples in paper plates and air-dry the samples. Air drying is a process of removing moisture from soil by exposure to air. Leave the soil for at least 24 hours.

Identify the structure and texture of the soil. Observe the number of rocks and roots. Classify the structure as:granular, blocky, columnar, or verticular.. Classify the texture by investigating the elasticity of the oil. Classify it as loamy sand, loamy clay, sandy loam, sandy clay, clay loam or clay sand.

Test the soil pH using CPR, BCB and BTB. Use the leaflet from Department of Agriculture for comparing the color of the results. Test the NPK content using the solutions at the soil test kit.

Use blogspot or any convenient site to post and share your gathered data. Post a solution video and make an implementation plan.

TIMELINE

Day 1:
Introduction to land Degradation and Formulation of Problems
Day 2:
Preparation of Investigatory Materials
Day 3:
Exploration of designated sites and Collecting Soil Samples
Air-Drying of the Samples
Day 4:
Sieving and Filtering air-dried samples
Day 5:
Laboratory: Testing Sol pH, and NPK content
Day 6:
Getting Soil Structure and Texture
Day 7:
Planning for the blog

 

On September 25,1:30 PM, we watched two videos about land degradation.

After a while, we were told to give specific questions that may guide us to answer the question,"How can we improve the Soil Quality in your Community?".

 Mr. Andrew Tenorio discussed each one and we knew that the guide questions are:

Land Degradation  ( treehugger.com )

1) What are the agricultural activities in your community?

 2) How does agricultural activities affect the soil qualities in terms of:

    a) Structure 

    b) Texture

    c) Nitrogen,Potassium and Phosphorous "NPK" content

    d) PH level

3) What are the ways to improve soil quality?

We made a plan on how are we going to answer the given question.
We also knew the causes of soil degradation. These are the over-grazing, deforestation, and extensive use of artificial fertilizer. 

  On September 26,1:30 PM, Mr. Tenorio told us what,where and how are we going to do the activities. He also told us to bring our laptops and look for the soil protocols. We look at the Horizons,character,etc.Then, he told us to read,comprehend and analyze the procedures ourselves.

(wpclipart.com)

    On September 27,11:30 AM, he used our Homeroom Guidance "HRG" period to collect soil samples. We went to our designated place, untouched area at the back of our gymnasium. We started digging a small hole with a size of  1x1x1. While digging, we saw a weird reptile that looks like a snake. We took some soil samples on the horizon 1. After one our, we went back to the classroom.
     In our Integrated Science period, we continue our investigation and collected soil samples in horizon 2 and 3. After we collected it all, we went to the classroom.